Station 3

1. More lanes on I-526. To improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion, I-526 would be widened to include two additional lanes in each direction between Paul Cantrell Boulevard and North Rhett Avenue.

2. No more weaving at the I-526/I-26 System Interchange. To eliminate weaving and improve mobility through the I-526/I-26 system interchange, tight, closely spaced, low-speed ramps would be replaced by long, sweeping, high-speed ramps.

3. Introduction of Collector-Distributor Roads. The Recommended Preferred Alternative features collector-distributor (CD) roads at all four legs of the I-526 and I-26 system interchange. Collector-distributor roads are lanes used to collect the most significant traffic movements and distribute them efficiently through congested areas to their destinations. These new, longer, separated ramps would add capacity to the system. They would allow the major traffic movements to be separated as they move throughout the system by guiding exiting vehicles to their destinations sooner. This would also prevent conflicts between entering and exiting traffic.

4. Improvements to the I-526 interchanges at both ends of the project. At the east end of the project, the interchanges with North Rhett Avenue and Virginia Avenue would be improved to add access to the new collector-distributor (CD) roads to eliminate weaving between Virginia Avenue and North Rhett Avenue and to replace the low-speed loop ramps with higher speed on- and off-ramps. This weaving and tight ramps causes significant congestion today.
   
   At the west end of the project, an entrance ramp from Paul Cantrell Boulevard would be improved to eliminate the need to merge when heading toward North Charleston. The exit ramp would be improved for those commuters heading north on Glenn McConnel parkway, by bridging over the Magwood Drive intersection.

• The existing I-526 2-Lane Viaducts Retained & Proposed 2-Lane Structures Outside would remain the same along I-526 near between I-26 and Virginia avenue.
• An elevated 2-lane collector distributor road would be added in both directions with direct connections to I-26.

B. I-26 from Remount Road to I-526/I-126 Interchang:

• This section refers to the existing 10-lane section of I-26 from Remount Road to the I-526 interchange.

• 3-Lane collector-distributor roads are proposed on either side of the facility to reduce congestion.

C. I-526 from I-526/I-26 Interchange to International Boulevard

• This section would be widened by 2 lanes for a total of 5 lines in the Westbound direction.

• The existing 3 lanes would remain in the Eastbound direction.

• A 3-lane collector-distributor road would provide access to I-26 to reduce congestion.

D. I-526 Mainline Ashley River Bridges

• There is proposed a mainline widening of both Eastbound and Westbound bridges over the Ashley River.

• This widening would accommodate a 14-foot shared-use path across the Ashley River.

E. I-526 Mainline Eastbound and Westbound (with Noise Walls)

• Widening from 2 to 4 lanes in each direction with widening occurring to the center.

• Noise walls are proposed on both sides in West Ashley between the Ashley River and Paul Cantrell Boulevard. For more information on noise walls and the exact locations, visit the Noise Station.

• 12-Foot shoulders on the inside & outside are planned for safety and potential future improvements.

F. Paul Cantrell Boulevard: Ashley Crossing Drive to Bridge over Magwood Drive

• Left to Right:

  • The existing Eastbound & Westbound Paul Cantrell Boulevard would remain.

  • New bridge is proposed heading Westbound over Magwood Drive to Glenn McConnell Parkway.

  • The frontage road would remain for 2-way local traffic from Ashley Crossing Drive to Ashley River Road and 1-way from Magwood Drive to Ashley Crossing Drive.